I hadn't been to SAN Korean Cafe for a while, but was a driving by today (Memorial Day afternoon) and saw that it was open. Ordered a Korean Cheesesteak and it was great, better than some cheese steaks I've had in Philadelphia! Very flavorful and filling. Beef was very tender and the sweet pepper and onions created a nice symphony of flavors. Came with a tasty little salad that I thought was noodles, but I think pickled vegetables, really refreshing complement to the steak. In the past I've had their Ban Mi sandwich and it's always very good and fresh. Staff is super friendly and courteous. Apparently, today is the first day SAN Korean Cafe is expanding to be open for Dinner service. Highly recommend! read more

Worst Korean food ever !!!! Jesus Just go there if you don't have any other option Expensive place low quality Korean food read more

Talk about a hidden gem! SAN Korean Cafe is tucked away in the most unexpected location in San Rafael. I'm talking industrial strip mall across the freeway from the San Quentin prison, surrounded by home renovation stores and a gun range. Target and Home Depot are down the street. You definitely won't stumble upon this place, but that's part of what makes it interesting. As one of maybe two Korean restaurants in all of Marin County, SAN could easily coast on lack of competition, but they don't. Having spent considerable time eating my way through Koreatown in LA and various Korean spots around the Bay Area, I can say this place holds its own. The lunch special is an absolute steal, with kimchi-tofu soup, rice, and your choice of three banchan. The soup itself is on the milder side, but it's comforting and hits the spot every time, loaded with veggies and a decent amount of protein. Honestly though, the real star here is the kimbap. They make it fresh by hand, and it's so popular, they consistently run out. (You can choose bulgogi beef or pork.) People clearly drive from who knows where specifically for this. The tea selection is solid, though I was bummed not to see barley tea (my personal favorite). Korean dramas play on the TV, adding to the authentic atmosphere and making you forget you're eating next to a bunch of hardware stores. Fair warning: Parking is extremely limited, so plan accordingly. The staff is friendly enough, but the person at the register can be a bit inattentive. I recommend you double-check your order before you leave. Is it worth a special trip? If you're a Korean food fan and happen to be in Marin, or if you're passing through on your way to the East Bay, try it. The food quality and that freshly made kimbap more than make up for the quirky location and limited parking. This is what a true neighborhood spot looks like. read more

searching for open cafes crossing the richmond-san rafael bridge and this place popped up. the friendly woman working there said it's been open 3 years but it's the first time i've seen it. shows you how search engines do not find everything worth finding. lots of windows and the space while tiny feels spacious from lots of white that bounces light around. only a few tables so must do more take out business - they have 2 dedicated parking spaces right next to. had the tofu gim bap (tasty) and lilikoi arnold palmer (delish!). would def stop by again next time i cross that bridge. would be a great stop if doing the bike across the bridge! read more

SAN korean Cafe - dedicated parking for quick and easy pick ups! - Cafes Near Me - San Rafael, California

Delicious lunch! The spicy pork and rice bowl with Kimchee is really good. Tasty, nice spices, and good quantity. The Dumplings are good too. The people are super nice, and the place is charming, with easy parking. Highly recommended! read more

SAN korean Cafe - Spicy pork and rice bowl - Cafes Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Stumbled across this little cute restaurant while I was in the area. I love the vibes here in this little store. Very cute and they even sell Korean snacks, drinks, and kimchi inside. The cashier was very nice and patient with me when I was deciding what to order. Their menu has a lot of good options to choose from!! I ordered the sweet&savory kimchi noodle salad and I really enjoyed how refreshing it was. It was a little plain for my liking but that's okie. It doesn't come with meat so if you want to add meat, it's $2 extra. On top of that, I ordered the boba drink (lychee green tea with crystal boba) and I thought it was pretty refreshing too. I will definitely revisit the next time I'm in the area:) read more

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My go-to for this place is their bibimbap. Simple yet comforting. A small yet lovely place. I believe there is hype about their coffee too so I will endeavor to try that next time. You'll enjoy it. Cheers! read more

SAN korean Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Rafael, California

Lovely cashier experience! Worker/owner is friendly and very thorough in making sure items you order are correct. Also, they have a range of sides and drinks on display (teas on display, beverages in fridge) and also Korean snacks to choose from on a shelf. read more

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We were hungry after a round of golf and craving some quick Korean snacks. Boy did we find just the perfect place! Loved their tofu and veggie gimbop, perfectly seasoned with the fragrant sesame oil! Jachae was also yummy and the sauces on the Korean corn dog had the right amount of kick to it. The owner was friendly and the service was efficient. It is sorta hidden, tucked in an unlikely corner by the ocean. The unique and whimsical interior with packaged Korean food and desserts is very inviting. read more

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Outstanding bibimbop! The home made sauce isn't spicy hot, it's more sweet and tangy. Overall well proportioned and offered the expected variety. Staff was nice and food came out expeditiously. Also: easy parking! read more

Enjoyed the spicy pork protein bowl, beef bulgogi bowl, soups, and jap chae. I've only ordered Doordash from here and all the food came delicious. My husband didn't really like the chicken bowl, so it sounds like that was a miss. I've also ordered their banchans and had them as a side dish for lunch. Overall, would continue to order from here again to get my Korean fix in Marin and not need to drive into SF! read more

Love this place!!! First of all, the owner Monica is super nice and provides awesome service. Second of all, the food is super fresh and flavorful. I am partial to the noodle dishes but everything looks great. The inside is bright and clean. The pricing is very fair, too! read more

$40 got me spicy pork kimbap and a japchae with chicken and a kombucha.. a little steep not gonna lie The kimbap was skimp on the meat it was barely any spicy pork in that muthafucka, i also thought it was made to order but it was already pre-made and sitting out so the rice was all crusty and stale. It was a good amount of rolls though. The japchae was a good heavy serving but was bland and needed salt, it was aiite. I was expecting higher quality ingredients, If i want my korean fix I'll just stick with my various AYCE kbbq spots cuz this ain't it fam read more

Stopped by for a quick lunch, super yummy Kim bap, Kim chi and matcha/boba. Small seating area and self-service and bussing but a great little stop over on the way back to peninsula area. read more

It's our first time in San Rafael area and we saw this place since we were all craving for hot Korean foods after a two-mile walking in Muir Beach Overlook. The place is small but the foods are good and the price as well. The cashier in front was nice and helped us out with our others. The kitchen staff are fast and efficient since we can see them preparing our orders. Their sandwich with bbq pork inside was so good. We are definitely going back when we do our trail walking again. read more

If you're looking for delicious food and friendly people, look no further; this place is amazing! Don't forget to buy their kimchi - Yum!!!! read more

SAN korean Cafe - Kimchii - Cafes Near Me - San Rafael, California

Great service and even better food. The restaurant is small but very cute and very clean. There is also a decent amount of outdoor seating.

This is a super casual lunch place, really a cafe like place. No waiter service or anything. It serves super fresh and healthy feeling authentic Korean food. It's not going to serve generic Asian food so don't go if you want stir fry, you will get some very specific Korean dishes like bi bim bap. Lots of pickled and fermented veggies. But it all feels super fresh, very little oil or fat, you feel really good after eating it. read more

Shhh! Don't tell anyone! Ok, just a couple people Bright, lovely, lively vibe, Monica (owner) has assembled a menu to satisfy the breakfast crowd that's been around here for a long time plus introduce good Korean food for lunch and take out. I'm Japanese- American learning about Korean food so I'm not an expert at all plus it's been scarce in Marin County- only one older place which recently closed and was just ok. So... coffee drinks, boba (unsweetened alt milks are here- thank you!), pastries, Kimchi burritos for AM. Kim bap, jap chae, bulgogi and much more for lunch. It reminds me of a cafe in SF by a known chef - clean, delicious and authentic but also contemporary. It would suit a vegan /plant based diet. Plus watch a K- drama on the TV in the background. You might get hooked! Nice job Monica! read more

SAN korean Cafe - Compact and active kitchen - Cafes Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Stopped here for a quick bite early one morning and am so glad we did. They served the best coffee and awesome breakfast. Will definitely be coming back soon. Maybe next week. So good worth the drive just for the coffee read more

The kim chee is a family recipe. I always stock up and buy 6 jars at a time. Its so much better then commercial store brands and they have a vegan style which is also delicious. read more

The service was fast. Not many people stay, very comfortable place because it's not crowded. Small but very friendly place. read more

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Delicious korean food!Hidden gem here in Marin. Will be coming back to get more off the menus read more

SAN korean Cafe - Bi Bim Bap - Cafes Near Me - San Rafael, California

We had to try this place because it's the closest place to Novato that has Korean corn dogs. It was good to try but not up to what Stix in SF or Seoul Hotdog in Berkeley is. They have one flavor of corn dog and one sauce. The sauce was tasty, but the corn dog was not very exciting. Maybe I'm being too picky, but I expect my Korean corn dog to fried in-house before I get it. This corn dog was heated up in an oven. I also ordered the Korean cheese steak sandwich. The beef had good flavor. It was decent food. For the price, though, I will probably head to SF or the East Bay for Korean food. read more

SAN korean Cafe - Korean BBQ beef cheesesteak sandwich - Cafes Near Me - San Rafael, California

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SAN Korean Café has quickly become one of my favorite spots to visit every week. Their coffee is always on point, and the food is nothing short of delightful. Today, I enjoyed the Bi Bim Bap with steak and egg packed with protein, full of flavor, and it never leaves me feeling weighed down. The cashier was incredibly kind and clearly loves what she does, which makes me want to keep coming back. She even put together a refreshing drink that paired perfectly with my meal. The café is spotless, inviting, and the perfect place to enjoy a nutritious, satisfying, and flavorful meal. read more

SAN korean Cafe - Bi Bim Bap - Cafes Near Me - San Rafael, California

I personally miss Korean food so i appreciate this Lady trying to make it happen in Marin. Coming from So Marin- go towards Richmond Bridge and take last exit before bridge - go left under freeway to get on E Francisco road. It will rapidly come up to your Right Hand side. She has a comfortable interior and a sunny outdoor patio for dining. I got mine to go as i was sharing with my daughter. She is the Only Korean Food in Marin! Loved that she had all these sides to choose from. Couldn't decide and she gave me a 3rd for my first time. : Generous, friendly and very clean business- definitely give it a try if you are curious or missing a Korean quick meal! read more

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First time here to pick up a Too Good to Go bag. It had delicious tofu kimbap and 3 sweet pastries. The staff were friendly and sensitive to my food allergies (I give away things I am allergic to from Too Good to Go bags). Looked like a cheerful place to have a casual breakfast, lunch, or snack if running errands in the area. I look forward to trying items from the full menu! read more

SAN korean Cafe brings Korean food to the San Rafael area that's worth checking out! The Bay area in general has a lack of good Korean food. Although there have been quite a few notable new entries, any truly great establishments are hard to come by. Thankfully, SAN korean cafe brings a solid array of Korean dishes and Kdrama aesthetics will make me come back for more. Run by Monica Chang whose previous experience and passion for kimchi really comes through. With dishes like bibimbap and japchae, these are Korean classics and the ones I tried were pretty good. Unfortunately, the beef was not ready so we had to sub out for alternatives, but still pretty good! Protein Bowl with Spicy Pork (4/5): The spicy pork definitely brought the heat so that it didn't really require any of the sauce. When mixed in with all the sides, I enjoyed the combination. Filling without feeling too much. Bibimbop with Chicken (4/5): Similar to the protein bowl, it had well flavored meat with well done banchan to mix with the rice. Wished we had beef but still good. Parking was plenty when I went on Saturday afternoon for lunch. The service was also pretty quick. Overall, SAN Korean Cafe is worth checking out especially if you are in San Rafael and want some Korean food. read more

SAN korean Cafe - Protein Bowl with spicy pork - Cafes Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Finally there's Korean food in Marin!!!! The cafe has been open since November 2022 and it's been a welcoming sight to see in Marin which shockingly has NO Korean restaurants. Owner and chef, Monica Chang started selling her kimchi by the same name (SAN Korean) at selected supermarkets and this is the real deal! It's in a quiet business park right off of 101 near San Quentin with plenty of parking. THE FOOD BEEF BUL go gi rice bowl Just like what you expect from a well season beef. It had a nice combination of steam 3 grain rice with a few ban chan sides. Very flavorful. SPICY PORK rice bowl Wow, again, well seasoned and full of flavor. THE INTERIOR The cafe is small but has areas both inside and outdoor seating. VERY CLEAN SPACE. THE SERVICE You walk up and order at the counter and the food is delivered to your table. They have a variety of Korean Bahn Mi sandwiches, Protein Bowls, House Specials, all day breakfast, Pastries, Boba Tea, Kimchi sold by the jar and Korean ice cream. Definitely check this out and support this small business! Come support this small independent business. read more

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I've been here a few times for bimbap, boba, and pastries. All the food is delicious, and the owner and employees are super friendly. I always forget to take pictures because I eat the food so fast! The location isn't one that you would wander into unless you're looking for it. The place is clean and inviting. I hope they get lots of business. I stop and pick something up whenever I'm in the area. read more

Middle of nowhere Korean breakfast cafe and lunch place. Surprisingly good with great Equator brand coffee and fresh ingredients of Korean dishes. Gets pretty crowded upon nearby local businesses and sports team for late breakfast and lunch. Convenient for on the go coffee and lunch grabs. read more

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Got the noodle salad and it was SO GOOD!!! The flavors all complement each other. The food was also ready in less than 10 minutes. I'll definitely continue coming to this place! Love the vibe of this cafe. read more

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Do not get the kimchi stew! I appreciate that this is a small business, but they can do a lot, lot better. $18 for a kimchi stew "meal"... a very small container of bland soup, bland side dishes and stale rice (yes, hard and stale). I got the $3 spicy pork add-on ... there are 4 or 5 tiny shreds of bland pork(the tiny, tiny amount of meat is actually insulting). Overall, extremely disappointing and shockingly bland! I haven't had such a bad food experience in a very long time. I have to go back out and get something else for lunch today. read more

SAN korean Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Rafael, California

I can't get enough of the kim bap here! I also love their boba tea selection. My favorite is the lychee flavor. If you're not a boba drinker, check out their espresso offerings made with Equator coffee. Note: their kimchi is the real deal and they sell it by the jar if you want to take some home. Parking is easy and you can sit inside or outside in a patio garden area. The owner Monica is very friendly and accommodating. read more

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What happened? This place used to be good. Recent experience was very disappointing. I always walk-in, order at the counter and take out. I have never had a problem with food temperature or quality in the past. This time the rice and beef were cold and the dish was bland and lacking in vegetables. I called the restaurant to try to give feedback. The owner just talked over me and got defensive. She was condescending and rude and offered no apology or recourse. I'll take my $25 and get lunch elsewhere next time. read more

Had al fresco lunch here, served by the owner. Our bowls were fresh and delicious. Purchased an amazing jar of kim chee. We'll be back. Recommended!! read more

I felt like cooking today, but my boyfriend wanted to eat out, and I wasn't in the mood for the hassle of leaving the house. So, I looked up low-stress locations, and this place popped up. I am so grateful it did. Checking their Yelp page, I saw delicious-looking food and thought it seemed like the kind of hole-in-the-wall that nails flavor profiles. So, we drove down there. Initially, we missed it. The sign sneaks up on you, especially on a straight road that doesn't seem to have many destinations. We ended up at a volleyball court, backed out, and finally found it. There was ample parking, but the location is a bit hidden. Upon entering, everything was clearly communicated without much speaking. They had menus outside, laminated menus to grab, and detailed coffee information. The space seemed surrounded by office buildings, and we saw many people in scrubs. We were greeted warmly. The woman, possibly the owner or a dedicated manager, asked if it was our first time and if we had had Korean food before. She provided a lovely, simple explanation of Korean dishes for another guest who hadn't tried them before. We were unsure if we should order at the counter or sit, but she clarified we could sit wherever we wanted. They were very accommodating. My boyfriend loves rice with his meat, while I have a celiac intolerance and prefer not to eat much rice. They catered to both our needs. We started with their baked dumplings, which were really good, though a bit stiff on the corners. The sesame sauce paired perfectly, being light and not too sweet. The food came out quickly. The place was incredibly clean, including the bathroom. They had a nice station for pickles and condiments. It was a very comfortable space with anticipatory service. They provided more service than you'd expect from a small place, checking on us and refilling water despite being self-serve. We shared a soup, which was a bit bland for me and didn't quite pair well with the sides. However, the bowls were fantastic. I got pork with tofu instead of rice, and it was incredible. The pork was so good I cleaned my bowl, and the tofu added a nice touch. I felt satisfied and healthy hours later, without bloating. It was a perfect meal: healthy, filling, and great value for money at $50 for both of us, including an appetizer, soup, and mains. This place exceeded my expectations for a healthy, quick, and affordable meal. I highly recommend it. If you go, definitely get the dumplings and the spicy pork with tofu. They're very accommodating with lots of vegetarian and vegan options, making it easy to eat healthily. Everything was fantastic. read more

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I stumbled upon this place in an obscure location near the Richmond Bridge while getting my car fixed. I ordered the kimchi soup and mixed pickled veggies with brown rice. I had high hopes, but was disappointed as the food was all quite bland. I seek out Korean food for the spice and adventure. Unless i ordered wrong here, it missed the mark. read more

I had to come back to SAN Korean Cafe. Today I had their Spring Special: Sweet & Savory Kimchi Noodle Salad with chicken. It was so refreshing, flavorful and satisfying. It is the owner Monica's favorite menu for Spring and Summer. I am so glad she made this dish available for us to try. Thank you Monica!! We will be back again!! read more

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Food was good, flavorful, small business owners know how to take care of their customers. Service was great, always attentive, place was kinda small but that should not stop you from getting good grub!! read more